Los Angeles daily herald., 1887-09-17
MIR. Mason and HIS Assessment
Again.


way OF making this episode perpetual
in the memory of the people will be
made perfect when they come to pay
their taxes along toward the end OF
December. That this county was
raised in valuation from $37 100000
to 500, ,0O0, 900, or more than one hum
dred and fifty per cent, was so notable
a matter that it was telegraphed to all
parts of the Union and commented
upon far and wide by the press. There
has not one paper made mention OF
the affair in any other spirit than to
insist that no such increase in values
could by any possibility have taken
place. When the fact first transpired
that the assessor was contemplating
30 radical a movement this journal
was the first to raise warning cry,
and that warning was reiterated
many times during the time in
which the assessment was in
progress. But with stubborn OBJ
,stinacy of which nothing but a most
contracted mind is ever capable, Ma
son went on in the even tenor of his
way, laying most unjust burden on
the shoulders of his constituents, of
his friends and neighbors. In doing
this he set up the plea of his con-
science. He had sworn to assess prop
erty at its "full value" and not to do
so would violate his oath. While this
satisfied no one, and while many eX-
pressed their opinion as to the
senseless idiocy of men drag
ging their conscience into a
matter which only required a little
exercise OF fair minded, common
sense, nearly everyone gave Mason
the credit of being an honest and we'll
meaning man, albeit most dangerous
crank, ignorant of the alphabet OF pub
lie affairs,
But there comes sequel to this
matter which Mason will have to ex-
plain on other grounds than by an APP
peal to his conscience and his oath.
This Sc quel reads amazingly like that
of Shylock OF Venice, with that "vow
in hea ven" which bound his ''con-
science" to exact the "pound of flesh. !"
So glaring was the injustice done the
taxpayers of this county that the
Board of Supervisors, after going over
Mason's bungling and laundering
work, had an expert GO over the books
and make out list therefrom compar-
ing the items with the prices actually
paid about the 1st OF last March
for the property selected. This list,
with other facts and arguments, was
laid before the State Board of Equal
ization, with the view of having our
assessment lowered. Mr.. Rowan,
Chairman OF the Board of Supervisors,
and Mr.. Venable, another member OF
that Board, and one thoroughly versed
in the value of property, went to Sac
ramento to plead for fair equaliza-
ton as between this county and the
rest of the State. These gentlemen
were ably assisted in their work by
Mr.. ID. Freeman, of the Centinela
Ranch, one of the best posted men in
the county. At the State Capital
they met the representatives of sew
eral other counties, and it is
observable that the most perfect har-
mony existed between all the officials
of each county there. The object of
each fficial was to serve his constitu-
ents to the best of his ability. Asses
sors and Supervisors all pulled to-
gether for this purpose.
| Los Angeles county presented the
single exception to this excellent rule.
Imagine the CONSERVATION of our rep
resentatives when they were met at
every stepEin their attempt to reach a
reduction of our valuation by the act
i've, strenuous ands persistent resist
ance OF this man Masonl Every
act in his power was done to hold his
stupid assessment where it was put by
him.
| Now he cannot plead conscience, or
, the bond of an oath in this. 1t was
pure meddlesomeness on his part to
be there. at all. 1t was no part of
his duty, official or otherwise,
to go to Sacramento, or to
lput in any argument before the State
Board. No one summoned him
there. No one invited him to ap-
pear. He was asked for no advice in
the fair. OF his own motion, at his
own expense he undertook this Jour-
ney, and performed this gratuitous
act of injustice to shis constituents, to
his friends and neighbors. 1t is
thought that had he kept away the
reduction made would have been
twenty per cent instead of ten. By
this gratuitous act of stupid obstinacy
Mason therefore has put his hand in
the taxpayers pockets, taking there
from $50, 900. Men have been charged
with treasonous alliances with the op-
ponents of their own people for less
offensive acts. Bondsmen have taken
their names from the bonds of men
who deserved better than Mason las
in this matter; we're his bondsmen to
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